Introduction

We are a community of learners who prepare health care, health, sport, and leisure professionals for lifelong practice and scholarship. As a community we value a strong faculty-student relationship, respect for various opinions, the free exchange of ideas, diversity, and a commitment to the expansion of knowledge through all forms of scholarly work.

Our Students

Students who choose the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance follow a path of enriching experiences, with real rewards. Opportunities include rehabilitating people in clinical settings; coaching athletes; designing fitness programs for individuals or within corporate settings; working within a sport organization, government health agency, or community setting; managing hospitals and nursing homes; teaching health and physical education; leading outdoor adventure pursuits; and working as a recreation manager in the hotel or leisure industry.

Hallmarks for Student Success

Wide Choice of Programs

HSHP currently enrolls over 1,200 full-time students in more than 20 different undergraduate degree programs and 8 graduate programs (7 M.S. degree programs and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy). In addition, students can choose from a variety of concentrations (e.g., nutrition) and emphases (e.g., medical sciences) within some of these majors. The wide breadth of programs ensures that students who fall in love with Ithaca can find a major in HSHP that will meet their life goals. Upon graduation, students interested in developing further depth in an area can advance to graduate studies in many departments.

The HSHP Preprofessional Program is available for freshmen and sophomores who are undecided about a particular major but interested in related fields. Students receive intensive guidance and academic advisement concerning program choices before declaring a major.

Faculty as Advisers, Mentors, and Research Partners

The strength of HSHP degree programs emerges from a dedicated faculty who believe in and practice their areas of expertise, scholarship, and research with their students, fully supporting the integration of the liberal arts and sciences into their professional programs.

National Academic Reputation

HSHP students consistently perform above national averages in all programs that require licensure or certification exams. We strive to produce highly prepared entry-level professionals.

Hands-on Learning

Students in HSHP have a myriad of opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills developed in the classroom. The importance of experiential learning is demonstrated by our affiliation with approximately 1,700 sites and organizations, located throughout the United States and abroad, where our students complete fieldwork, internships and student teaching. In addition, the school houses a faculty/staff wellness clinic, an OT/PT clinic, the Sir Alexander Ewing Speech and Hearing Clinic, athletic training facilities, and the Center for Life Skills. Each year over 650 HSHP students complete field experiences as part of their academic program.

Employment and Graduate Study

Results from alumni surveys adminstered one year after graduation showed that 98 percent of HSHP graduates were either employed or attending graduate school.